INVESTIGATE YEMEN WAR VIOLATIONS: HRW

The Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged the United Nations to investigate the violations of laws of war between the government of Yemen and Al Houthi rebels during the recent conflict in the north of the country. “The truce between the Yemeni government and Al Houthi rebels presents an opportunity to investigate violations of laws of war by both sides in order to sustain the fragile truce and ensure that it does not break down, said Joe Stork,” Deputy Middle East Director at HRW. Violations cited by the report included indiscriminate bombing of civilian areas and the use of child soldiers by the government, and the use of human shields, use of child soldiers and looting by the rebels. Referring to the impunity surrounding the suffering of civilians in Yemen, Stork strongly criticised the Friends of Yemen grouping, singling out the United States and United Kingdom for turning a blind eye to the alleged violations.